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6

(Leo's POV)

She caught my eye at the precinct. Damn was all I had to say about her. She was a little fighter. Nobody had kneed Wren in the groin before but she did, which intrigued me even more.

Following her to that clinic wasn't my best move either. After seeing where she worked, I left to get some of my own work done. I knew I needed to talk to her, but work comes first.

I came back to the clinic a few hours later after I got my work done. Hoping she was still here, I exited my vehicle and walked in.

I immediately spotted her and was relieved. She looked tired and worn out. But that didn't matter. After my little chat with the girl, she intrigued me even more. This girl was something. Intriguingly feisty. I promised to not touch her and I keep my promises, but she was fantastically alluring.

I sat at my recliner staring at the small chandelier that was holding onto the tall white ceiling when a knock sounded at the door and disturbed my daze.

"Come in."

"Boss," said Mike, one of my most trusted men and right hand. "I looked over all the charts, but it doesn't add up. Someone tampered with the money."

"How short are we?" I asked, pinching the bridge of my nose. Someone was going to die today. I hated rats and disloyal people.

"Ten million," he replied. "And that money laundering took place in France."

Ten million was like ten dollars to me, but someone taking that away without my permission and without me knowing infuriated me. "Find out who that was and when you do, bring him to me. I'll do it myself. I want to see the fear in his eyes," I growled. Nobody crossed me and got away with it.

"Okay boss," he said and turned to leave.

"Hold up," I stopped him in his tracks. "How many times do I have to tell you not to call me boss? We are childhood best friends, Mike. Leo will suffice."

"Leo, man," he began his explanation. "You scare me. Like a lot. One wrong move and I'll be dead."

"Well that's how I keep people in line."

"Okay, Leo. Whatever you say."

"Wait. Did you find out about the girl?" I held him back again.

"Oh yeah. Almost forgot about that even though I shouldn't because she's the first girl you've wanted me to look into in years." He stroked his chin, pondering deeply. "Gets me thinking. It was about time after what happened two years ago."

"Shut up!" I shouted, furious at him to even talk about what happened back then. "Just tell me what you found out."

"Okay. Arie Noelle. Just turned twenty-one. She lives in Queens with her Aunt who is thirty-one and her twin brother. She lost her parents about ten years ago and was raped on her birthday as we all overheard her. Tragic."

"What's the name of the guy who raped her?" I asked curiously, leaning back into the recliner.

"I checked the police record and there's nothing there about her rape. It's like they never put it in or perhaps they are trying to protect the man who did this hideous deed." This was nothing new. The cops were corrupted without a doubt. Finding a decent one was almost impossible, but it worked for me because most lived on my scraps and did as I said like good puppets.

"I see. Did you send the dress to her place yet?"

"I did. She should have probably gotten it by now."

"Great," I smiled and began typing away in my phone, urging Mike to leave.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"That's a question." I didn't bother looking at him with my eyes still locked onto my phone.

"Why are you pursuing this girl and what are your intentions?"

I looked up at him through my lashes. "It's none of your business, but I'll tell you. I'm going to have Wren apologize to her for his behavior at the station."

"That's all?"

"That's all."

Mike started laughing. "Wren would never apologize and you know that," he managed to say between his laughter.

"Oh, he will and I'll make sure of it."


(Arie's POV)

"Why aren't you ready yet?" Aunt Wendy asked, running her hand down her gorgeous long red dress that had a deep neck which showed her cleavage a bit too much and was laced with diamonds below her breasts. Her hair was pulled up into a messily made bun that only she could pull off and a pair of diamond earrings completed her look.

"I'm having second thoughts. Scared and nervous at the same time. Maybe we shouldn't go?" I suggested.

"Mermaid," she sat beside me on the bed and took my right hand in hers. "I'll be by your side at all times. Don't worry about anything. Keep the pepper spray close though. You never know what will happen."

"That's reassuring," I giggled and looked at the outfit that came in the box. It was a white dress with lace to cover my breasts at the top along with a gold band around my waist with silk flowing down my long, smooth legs.

It was a gorgeous dress I must admit. His taste was good, but I wasn't looking forward to anything with him. An apology from his brother was all I was anticipating. Hopefully, it all goes well.

"Put it on now," Aunt Wendy said, pulling me out of my thoughts. "I'll be downstairs. The car gets here in an hour, so that's plenty of time for you to get ready. If you need anything just give me a shout," she smiled and left.

Okay. Time to get ready. I was surprised how perfectly the dress fit me. Did he know my dress size too? Oh God. Calm down Arie. Calm down. You're going to be just fine.

Soft curls and a smokey eye was perfect for my look with some white pumps to finish it off. I strode downstairs and saw Aunt Wendy in the kitchen as usual. "What are you doing?" I asked. "The car should arrive any moment now."

"Oh my God!" She gasped. "You look gorgeous, mermaid." She came towards me with open arms and pulled me into a warm embrace.

"You look better though," I retorted, pulling away from the hug. "You're going to have plenty of rich bastards hitting on you tonight. Be safe," I chuckled.

"Both of us are going to get hit on. But we don't need men. Isn't that right?"

"Damn right. No men at all," I smiled. A honk from outside broke us away from our conversation.

"Time to go!" Aunt Wendy almost squealed picking up two clutches from the table beside the sofa. She wanted me to not cry my eyes out anymore and said this would be a good change for the both of us because I knew she was hurting too. "Here you go," she handed me my clutch. "Pepper spray is in it. Use it if necessary."

I nodded as we made our way outside. A luxurious white Rolls Royce stood in the narrow street putting all the other cars to shame that were parked on both sides.

"That's fancy," Aunt Wendy chuckled.

"Yeah. No kidding." We walked down towards the car. A tall, dark man stepped out of the vehicle and greeted us. "Ms. Noelle?"

"That would be me," I declared. "And this is Wendy Clark, my aunt," I pointed towards Aunt Wendy. She had a different last name than me as she was my mom's sister. She didn't even look like us with her white skin tone. Ashton and I were half Filipino, thanks to our dad for our beautiful tanned skin. So, it was hard to believe that she was our aunt. We looked nothing alike and the little age difference didn't help either.

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